Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/30

8 he got back first or not. She cannot seem to remember one pigeon from another. Here, I will write it.” He drew from his pocket a  tiny scrap of paper on which he hastily  scrawled:—‘William of Orange’ brings  greetings to Vrouw Voorhaas from Jacqueline and Gysbert.” This he wrapped about  the leg of the bird and tied it with a string. “Now, let him go!” he cried.

Jacqueline stood up, lifted the bird in both hands, and with a swift upward movement,  launched him into the air. The pigeon circled round and round for a moment, then mounted up into the sky with a curious spiral  flight. When it was many feet above the children it suddenly changed its tactics,  spread its wings taut, and made straight in the direction of Saint Pancras spire and Belfry Lane.

“Bravo! bravo!” they cried, watching intently till its sun-gilded wings had all but faded from sight. “‘William of Orange’ is a true carrier pigeon! Now for the rest!”